The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-04-28
A GALLANT CHARGE.
How 45 Cayalrymen OF the I'D Pa. Tried TO Take
Battery.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Let me tell
Of a charge made in the Shenandoah Valley by
as men belonging TO the ODD Pa. Cav, under
the command of Capt. James 7. Hart, now
clerk at Washington, ID. {. Gen. Dutiey, COM
manding our forces, started up the Valley about
the Goth OF July, 1864. On the 23d he encoun-
tered the enemy's skirmish-line at or near
keTnstown. Our lines were drawn mp in the
old orchard on the left of the pike and came TO
a halt, when the keen eye of Dufiey discovered
a battery Of four guns on knoll with stone
fence in 'front.' and the battery apparently
without any support So he ordered Capt.
Hart-better known among his old comrades
as Biddy ito take 40 carbneers and take that
battery. The Captain rode along the line and
gave the command:
Count OF by fours, and every fourth man
ride TO the 'front.'"
i had the luck 10 be mo T." Not one
OF the comrades knew what we were expected
10 do. The Captain ordered us forward. and we
marched out 10 the pike and halted. Then the
Captain rode along the line aud told US we
were TO go over there aud take that battery.
he said il would be rs hot as -, and If any
comrade didn't want 10 go he should ride 10
the front. Not one advanced. The Captain
told rs that the signal would be fired about one
mile 10 the rear on the pike, and at the sound
we were TO charge down the pike and bring
that battery in.
We waited patiently for the signal. At last
IL came, and away we went at that battery; but
we did not bring il i'm. for storm Of musketry
met us that was not expected. IL came from a
brigade of infantry lying behind stone fence,
which opened on us when we were within 100
yards Of the battery aud compelled us to re-
treat. The Captain, myself aud one Of our
company, John REGISTER, were near together
until we reached strip of woods, where a shell
struck the horse OF Comrade REGISTER. killed
the horse and cut the comrades left leg off,
from the effects of which he died. Looking
back i saw a regiment of cavalry in pursuit.
Coming TO ditch i'm which a comrades horse
had slipped and fallen, Capt. Hart spuTred his
mare aud cleared the fallen horse. Then came
my turn, plunging in the spurs. and my horse
made the leap, but the fallen horse arose, catch
ing my horse on the knees. throwing him
think 20 feet, and me over his head. When
got up there were seven cavalTymen around,
and was looking down seven revolver barrels
and seven fellows were saying, Halt, you -
--!" Almost any old soldier knows that
term. halted.
For a few days the rebels marched us up and
down the Valley, and then TO Winchester,
where we were put in the Jail, but as il was not
large enough we were removed out 10 the out
skirts of the town and placed in a swamp. On
the night Of July % made my escape with a
comrade Of the 23d Ohio by the name of Proc
tor. If this meets the eye of Comrade Proctor,
i would like 10 hear from him. We made our
way across the mountains over 100 miles ia
Cumberland, Nd, meeting with many rebel
citizens and hiding from rebel soldiers. Il.
SHALLENBERGER, Co. ID, 22d Pa. Cav, Cali.
fornia Pa